Professional Skills Portfolio (PRSK4048) - Spring 2018 Assessment

This Professional Skills Portfolio, designed for the PRSK4048 course in Spring 2018, is a comprehensive assessment tool aimed at developing and evaluating professional skills. It encompasses various activities and written tasks designed to foster self-awareness, reflection, and career planning. The portfolio includes exercises such as defining a long-term vision, assessing potential roles, completing a Belbin team roles test, analyzing cross-cultural awareness, participating in meetings, creating an action plan, resolving problems, understanding ethical awareness, developing a presentation plan, and reflecting on the post-presentation experience. The portfolio is divided into two sections: the first section features portfolio evidence, including in-class drafts, while the second section consists of written tasks that are developed throughout the semester. The portfolio requires students to reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities, and to understand and improve their personal skills in relation to the professional environment. The final submission is an electronic copy submitted via Turnitin.

Spring 18
Professional Skills Portfolio (PRSK4048)
Name: Student Number:
Lecturer Name:
Tutor Name:
Presentation Group Members (GM):
GM1 GM2
GM3 GM4
GM5 GM6
This is your Professional Skills Portfolio. Please save a copy on your computer and back it up
regularly (e.g. by saving it on your computer / in the cloud (e.g. Google Drive) / emailing it to
yourself). You will receive a printed copy which you should bring to all lectures and tutorials.
However, at the end of the course, you need to submit a completed electronic copy via Turnitin. Please
refer to suggested word counts for each task included within this portfolio.
1
Assessed Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand and have knowledge of professional skills and continual awareness in a business
environment.
2. Use appropriate technologies to facilitate the completion of self-analysis/reflection.
3. To reflect, analyse and discuss strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities personally and
academically.
4. Understand, improve and reflect upon their own personal strengths in relation to the

Table of Contents Page Learning outcomes
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence
(These tasks will often be drafted in class and are designed to inform the written task in section 2.
Suggested word counts are included in brackets.)
The Long-Term Vision (200 words) 3 LO2, LO3
Potential Roles and their Suitability (300 words) 4 LO2, LO3
Belbin Test (150 words) 5-8 LO2, LO3
Cross-cultural awareness/negotiating (150 words) 9 LO1, LO3
Participating in Meetings (400 words) 10 LO1, LO2, LO3
Preparing an Action Plan (100 words) 11 LO1, LO2
Resolving Problems and Conflict (300 words) 12 LO1, LO2
Ethical awareness (100 words) 13 LO2, LO3, LO4
Presentation Plan (100 words) 14 LO1, LO2
Post-Presentation Reflection (350 words) 15 LO2, LO3, LO4
360 Degree Review (150 words) 16-17 LO1, LO3
Professional Development Plan (PDP) (150 words) 18 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Section 2: Written Tasks
(These tasks should be developed throughout the semester but completed in weeks 9-11.)
Task 1: Professional Skills In Action (600 words) 19 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Task 2: Your Professional Skills (600 words) 19 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Track your progress by ticking off each task as you complete it.
2

All tasks must be completed individually, except for the ‘Action Plan’ (week 5) and ‘Presentation
Plan’ (week 8) which should be completed in collaboration with your other group members.
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence
Portfolio Evidence [Week 1] The Long-term vision
When discussing the types of roles you would like to apply for, it is useful to consider how these
might fit in with your long-term vision. Imagine yourself travelling approximately 5 or 10 years into
the future. This activity is not about laying down a rigid plan but to help you gain a sense of the type
of life you want, so you can make the right kinds of choices to achieve it (200 words).
Activity: The Long-term vision
Five/ten years from now, I see myself...
Aspect Write your own vision of this aspect
below
On a scale of 1-10 how
important is it to you?
I consider the most important
things in my life to be… Having a family that cares and a team at
work that understands and supports me
throughout my hardships
9
Living in which part of the
world and in what kind of
place?
 In my home country with diverse
people from different cultural
backgrounds
 In terms of geography, a place
with moderate climate; not too hot
nor too cold
 In terms of politics, a place where
there is no place for violence
8
Working for myself? Working
for a large company? Working
for a small company?
I want to work for myself five to ten years
from now but I know that would be asking
for too much. Hence, I would want to
work for a large firm with a dedicated
team of people
8
3

Doing what kind of work?
Routine? Challenging?
In an office? In the field?
Doing challenging work both in the office
and on the field is what I would want 7
With what kind of work/life
balance (consider hours of
work/stress levels)?
28 hours of work a week and the rest for
relaxing and enjoying life 9
Taking a lead? Taking
responsibility? Working
individually? Part of a team?
Part of a team as I do not consider myself
a great leader but I do know that I am a
great team player
7
Working with colleagues who
are… artistic? intellectual?
practical? caring? competitive?
All of it because no company anywhere in
the world would have colleagues who
have the same traits
Working with diverse personalities is what
I prefer
8
I enjoy spending my time
outside work doing… Community service in an enjoyable way
and playing sports with children as it
reenergizes me and keeps me happy
Other important aspects of my
vision of the future are… Contributing towards the society by being
involved in social works
Witnessing equality of people in decision-
making for the nation
4

Portfolio Evidence [Week 1] Potential roles and their suitability
Using one of the roles you discussed in your week 1 tutorial, complete the following table below (use
the following example to guide you; write 300 words):
EXAMPLE: My desired Role is: Retail Manager
Key Skills required My current experience in this skill
Effective Leadership Skills In my current job as a retail assistant, I have helped to manage the store
and train staff in the absence of my manager. However, this is an area I
need to gain more experience and confidence in.
The ability to plan and
prioritise workloads
My experience at GSM has helped me develop these skills, although there is
a still a little room for improvement as I need to start work on my
assignments earlier.
How does this role match my long term vision?
Advantages Disadvantages
I think I would enjoy the fast-paced and varied
nature of the work and wouldn’t mind taking
responsibility for different areas of the business. ..
(please continue)
Some retail manager positions may involve working
long hours and I would be worried that I would not
achieve a work-life balance…..(please continue).
My desired Role is: EVENT MANAGER
Key Skills required My current experience in this skill –Use own words
Good communication skill As an event planner for the XYZ Corporation, I carried out the role of
communicating with clients. However, I have realized that I need to
develop my communications skills lot more.
Excellent organizational
skills
Working as an event planner for my previous organization has helped
me learn the tricks and trades of the field in a better way
5

Skills to work under
pressure
I have also had the opportunity to work in a team and I was able to
deliver my best and prove my worth as a good team player by
disseminating and carrying out responsibilities
Good negotiating skills My experience of working as an event planner has also helped me
approach tough situations systematically and come out with a solution.
In addition, I have learnt to deal with different kinds of people
How does this role match my long term vision? – Use own words
Advantages Disadvantages
I think I would enjoy the varying roles
and responsibilities the job requires me to
perform. I also would not mind working for long
hours because event managing is an exciting job
that demands communicating with variety of
people. The role demands being creative all the
time and it is exciting to witness my ideas and
creativity being implemented successfully.
Event management also gives an opportunity to
develop my business skills. Further, I also get
the opportunity to refine my time management
skills.
With long hours of dealing with people
and finalizing venues, I might not be able to give
time to my personal life. The work-life balance
might be disturbed. In addition, event manager
has the responsibility to make sure that
everything goes as planned and the clients are
satisfied. If things turn out to be the opposite, it
might contribute to increased stress. In addition,
arranging big events within the prescribed
budget might be challenging. I would also be
worried for the fact that I would have to manage
diary system and make sure that there are
varieties of events.
6

Portfolio Evidence [Week 2] Belbin test
Belbin (1996) outlines the different type of roles people may have within a team. Complete the
following questionnaire to identify your main role(s). You will discuss the results in your week 2
tutorial. To complete the questionnaire:
1. Tick in the far left hand columns the one, two or three sentences most applicable to yourself.
2. Then in the column on the right, share 10 points between those sentences that apply to you: one
of which you feel sums you up well while the other only applies some of the time.
E.g. You could give your first choice seven points and three points to your second choice. In some
instances you might decide that there are two sentences which apply to you equally – if this is the
case, award five points to each.
SECTION A
When involved in a project with other people:
Tick Points
1. I can be relied upon to see that work that needs to be done is organised.
2. I pick up slips and omissions that others fail to notice.
3. I react strongly when meetings look like losing track of the main
objective.
4. I produce original suggestions.
5. I analyse other people’s ideas objectively, for both merits and failings. 1
6. I am keen to find out the latest ideas and developments. 7
7. I have an aptitude for organising people.
8. I am always ready to support good suggestions that help to resolve a
problem.
2
SECTION B
In seeking satisfaction through my work:
Tick Points
1. I like to have a strong influence on decisions.
2. I feel in my element where work requires a high degree of attention and
concentration.
6
3. I am concerned to help colleagues with their problems.
7

4. I like to make critical discrimination between alternatives.
5. I tend to have a creative approach to problem solving. 4
6. I enjoy reconciling different points of view.
7. I am more interested in practicalities than new ideas.
8. I particularly enjoy exploring different views and techniques.
SECTION C
When the team is trying to solve a particularly complex problem:
Tick Points
1. I keep a watching eye on areas where difficulty may arise.
2. I explore ideas that may have a wider application than in the immediate
task.
2
3. I like to weigh up and evaluate a range of suggestions thoroughly before
choosing.
2
4. I can co-ordinate and use productively other people’s abilities and
talents.
6
5. I maintain a steady systematic approach, whatever the pressures.
6. I often produce a new approach to a long continuing problem.
7. I am ready to make my personal views known in a forceful way if
necessary.
8. I am ready to help whenever I can.
SECTION D
In carrying out my day-to-day work:
Tick Points
1. I am keen to see there is nothing vague about my task and objectives.
2. I am not reluctant to emphasise my own point of view in meetings.
3. I can work with all sorts of people provided that they have got
something worthwhile to contribute.
5
4. I make a point of following up interesting ideas and/or people.
8

5. I can usually find the argument to refute unsound propositions.
6. I tend to see patterns where others would see items as unconnected.
7. Being busy gives me real satisfaction.
8. I have a quiet interest in getting to know people better. 5
SECTION E
If I am suddenly given a difficult task with limited time and unfamiliar people:
Tick Points
1. I often find my imagination frustrated by working in a group.
2. I find my personal skill particularly appropriate in achieving agreement.
3. My feelings seldom interfere with my judgment.
4. I strive to build up an effective structure.
5. I can work with people who vary widely in their personal qualities and
outlook.
6. I feel it is sometimes worth incurring some temporary unpopularity if
one is to succeed in getting one’s views across in a group.
7. I usually know someone whose specialist knowledge is particularly apt.
8. I seem to develop a natural sense of urgency.
SECTION F
When suddenly asked to consider a new project:
Tick Points
1. I start to look around for possible ideas and openings.
2. I am concerned to finish and perfect current work before I start. 3
3. I approach the problem in a carefully analytical way.
4. I am able to assert myself to get other people involved if necessary.
5. I am able to take an independent and innovative look at most situations. 7
6. I am happy to take the lead when action is required.
7. I can respond positively to my colleagues and their initiatives.
8. I find it hard to give in a job where the goals are not clearly defined.
SECTION G
9

In contributing to group projects in general:
Tick Points
1. I think I have a talent for sorting out the concrete steps that need to be
taken given a broad brief.
2. My considered judgement may take time but is usually near the mark. 4
3. A broad range of personal contacts is important to my style of working.
4. I have an eye for getting the details right.
5. I try to make my mark in group meetings.
6. I can see how ideas and techniques can be used in new relationships.
7. I see both sides of a problem and take a decision acceptable to all. 6
8. I get on well with other and work hard for the team.
Scoring Key for Self-Perception Inventory
1. Transfer your point’s allocation from the seven sections of the Self-Perception Inventory to the
appropriate boxes below. The pre-printed numbers in the grid refer to the question numbers (QN) of
each section. For example if for Section A you scored seven points for question 6 and three points for
question 1, you would allocate them in the columns RI and IMP respectively.
SH CO PL RI ME IMP TW CF
QN Q
N
Q
N
QN QN Q
N
Q
N
Q
N
A 3. 7. 4. 6. 7 5. 1 1. 8. 2 2.
B 1. 6. 5. 4 8. 4. 7. 3. 2. 6
C 7. 4. 6. 2. 2 3. 2 5. 6 8. 1.
D 2. 3. 5 6. 4. 5. 1. 8. 5 7.
E 6. 5. 7 1. 7. 3. 4. 2. 3 8.
F 6. 4. 5. 1. 3. 8. 7. 6 2. 4
G 5. 7. 5 6. 3. 2. 1. 8. 5 4.
Total 17 4 9 3 6 19 10
2. Once you have allocated all your points, total each column. The highest two totals represent your
primary and secondary preferred team roles.
3. After your tutorial, comment briefly on your primary and secondary team roles, what they
represent and to what extent you agree with the outcome, using evidence of past experiences to
support your position (150 words):
10As evident from the outcome of the Belbin test, my primary role in a team is that of a team
worker and secondary role is of a co-ordinator.

11

Portfolio Evidence [Week 3] Cross-cultural awareness/negotiating
Negotiations are complex. One factor is how different cultures approach negotiating when doing
business internationally. In the following scenario, what cultural misunderstandings could occur and
what strategies can you undertake to minimise those misunderstandings? Write two paragraphs (150
words).
Scenario:
Saudi Arabia is using its vast oil wealth to build $400bn of new infrastructure with major rail,
healthcare and construction projects. A British and Chinese company have been awarded two of the
largest contracts. They need to negotiate with each other and the Saudis to plan some of the transport
projects
12